Clothes drying apparatus



-March 5, 1935.

w. H.YANDELL CLOTHES DRYING APPARATUS Filed marcn zl', 1927 hffi.Y/INDELL 3 Sheets-She et 1 1N VENTOR /WMMM A TTQRNEY March 5, 1935. wYANDELL 1,993,201

CLOTHES DRYING APPARATUS Filed Marchv 21 1927 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 IMH.YANDEZL VENTO/e ATTORNEY March 93 w. H. YANDELL CLOTHES DRYING APEARATUSFiled March 21, 1927 5 Sheets-Sheet 3I||ll|lllllllllllllllllllllllllilllllllllllllllu JZ 11v VEN TOR ATTORNEY Patented Mar. 5, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1,993,201CLOTHES name APPARATUS Moline, Ill.

Application March 21,

50 Claims.

My present invention relates to apparatus for removing the greaterportion of the liquid contained in clothing, during the operation ofwashing and drying the same. In the present specifir cation and claimsthe term clothing is used to include wearing apparel, bed clothing,table linen and all other articles made of woven, crocheted or knittedthread or felted fibers or any other fabrics which have to be washedfrom time to time. The apparatus is designed for use in the laundries ofeither private homes or public clothes washing establishments and nolimitation in this respect is therefore desired or intended.

Among the objects of my invention are to provide a novel substitute forand eflicient mechanism to be used in place of clothes wringers,centrifugal extractors, and the like, the purpose of which is to removethe bulk of the water from a quantity of wet clothing. The presentapplication is a continuation in part of my prior application Serial No.650,535 filed July 9, 1923 and a continuation in part of my priorapplication Serial No. 16,938 filed March 20, 1925 and in part itcomprises more recent developments of the basic idea disclosed in thesetwo applications. By the use of a machine constructed in accordance withthis invention it is possible to subject a quantity of clothing to aneven pressure throughout the entire bulk thereof, irrespective ofwhether or not the clothing is carefully placed in the dryer, this beingimpossible with the ordinary type of dryer, that is, a roller wringer.Clothing passing through such a wringer unavoidably has wet spotstherein when it leaves the wringer for the reason that it is impossibleto have the same number of thicknesses of goods throughout the area ofthe clothing between the rollers and the rollers are not sufiicientlyplastic to permit the rubber to expand and come into contact with thearticles passing between them. Also with a wringer of the roller typethe articles are squeezed and stretched, often to their great harm, andbuttons are torn off, not to mention also the danger of injury to theperson using the wringer, notwithstanding thesafety devices provided forthe prevention of suchinj-uries. When a centrifugal dryer is used theclothing must be carefully distributed about the axis of rotation of therotatable clothes container in order to .l avoid the intense vibrationwhich occurs when the holder is rotated at the necessary high speed"required for such a process.

The present invention relates to a new method of drying clothing inwhich the water is pressed 1927, Serial No. 177,163

from the clothing by fluid action against a flexible membrane whichstretches and expands into contact with the wet clothing, exerting asubstantially uniform pressure upon all parts thereof, irrespective ofwhether or not the clothing is arranged evenly in the dryer. With thismethod of drying there is no danger of pulling or tearing any clothingor any risk of tearing buttons therefrom. Also, there is no vibrationsuch as described above and, in the more improved form of thisinvention, all danger of accidents has been removed.

My invention also resides in the combination, construction andarrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings and, whileI have shown therein certain early developments of this invention andwhat is now considered the preferred form thereof, I desire the same tobe understood as illustrative and not as limiting said invention.

In the drawings annexed hereto and forming a part hereof Figs. 1 and 2show in sectional elevation one of the early forms in which my inventionwas reduced to practice, the former showing the machine not in use andthe latter showing the machine with clothing enclosed therein andpressure being exerted upon said clothing to dry the same; Fig. 3 is aperspective view of another one of the early forms of my constructionwith the top or cover up to permit clothing to be inserted into thedryer or removed therefrom; Fig. 4 is aside elevation of theconstruction shown in Fig. 3 with the lid closed and in locked positionbut with the air exit from the dryer compartment open; Fig. 5, is a planview of the structure shown in Fig. 4 but with the air valve closed inthe position which it occupies when pressure is being built up on theclothing contained in the dryer; Fig. 6 is a transverse section throughthe exhaust valve upon the top of the dryer; Fig. 7 is an elevation ofthe hinge connecting the body and the top of the dryer and showing themechanism for preventing the top from being raised until after the airhas been permitted to escape from the dryer; Fig. 8 is a view similar toFig. .7 but showing the parts in the position which they must occupybefore the lid or cover can be closed; Fig. 9 is a transversesectionthrough the hinge substantially along the plane indicated by theline 9--9, Fig. 7; Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 9 but with theparts 00-. cupying the positions which they assume when the cover israised; Fig. 11 is a fragmentary section showing the relationship of thehinge and its associated parts, this view being taken axially throughthe pipe which carries off the air from the dryer and serves to causerelative motion of the body and top of the dryer in locking andunlocking the same; Fig. 12 is an elevation showing another form of myconstruction and illustrating its mounting upon a washing machine; Fig.13 is an enlarged section of the dryer shown in Fig. 12; Fig. 14 is abottom view of a fragmentary portion of the flange of the dryer, showingone of the openings utilized in the locking of the two parts together;Fig. 15 is a transverse section substantially along the plane indicatedby the line 1515, Fig. 14; Fig. 16 is an enlarged fragmentary view ofthe exhaust valve shown at the top of Figs. 12 and 13.

Referring more in detail to the annexed drawings, numeral 1 denotes thebody or bottom portion of the dryer and 2 the top or cover portionthereof, these parts being hinged together in a suitable manner asindicated at 3 or 3a and held closed by suitable securing means 4 or 4a.Inside of the body 1 is a suitable clothes container 5 which may be madeof wire netting, perforated sheet metal, or the like, but which I preferto make of wire netting because I believe this to be the most desirablematerial. In the form of construction shown in Figs.- 1 and 2 thisclothing container is made in the form of a deep basket while that usedin the construction shown in Figs. 3, 4, 12 and 13 is in the form of ashallow basket.

Secured to the underside of the cover 2 is a flexible distensiblemembrane 6 which may be a bag connected in air-tight relation to the.inlet 7 and the outlet 8 (see Figs. 1 and 2) but I prefer to use a sheetof rubber as shown in my drawings and have it connected in air-tightrelation with the cover 2 so that fluid may be pumped into the spacebetween the cover 2 and membrane 6 to cause distension of the membraneas shown in Fig. 2 to press upon the clothing contained in the basket 5,irrespective of any and all irregularities in the surface thereof..While a liquid may be used to cause the distension of membrane 6, Iprefer to use air pressure which is generated by a pump 9 drawing airfrom the atmosphere and forcing it through a connection 10 to the inlet'7 and through this into the chamber 11 between the top 2 and themembrane 6. After the desired pressure has been produced in the chamber11, it is preferable to let the machine .stand for a short time withthis pressure therein so that the fluid may drain from the clothing ontothe bottom 12 of the machine and from thence through. the drain cook 13to be caught in a suitable container and saved for further use or to beconducted to a suitable drain and be disposed of.

It is of course understood that after the pressure has been maintainedin the chamber 11 for a suflicient length of time the valve 8 will beopened and the fluid in chamber 11 will be permitted to escapetherefrom, thus reducing the pressure in that chamber to a point wherethere is no danger of breaking the membrane 6 when the cover 2 isunlocked and opened. It will be noted that Fig. 1 shows the membrane 6as being somewhat loose and baggy while Fig. 13 shows this membrane asbeing tight before air is admitted to the chamber 11 to cause distensionof the membrane 6. In the apparatus shown 1,o9s,2o1

stood that the membrane 6 may be either tight or baggy as desired, itbeing considered preferable to have it somewhat loose when the cover isopen, that is, in the position shown in Fig. 3. If desired the membrane6 may be provided around its edge with a bead to be secured between thecover 2 and the clamping means 14 shown in Figs. 1 and 2. However, asshown in these two figures, a ring is placed against the membrane 6,after it is placed in position, and then the clamping means is put inplace and tightened up to press this ring against the rubber,compressing the same between the ring and the top 2, thus securelyholding the rubber membrane 6 in place. Bolts 15 form a part of theclamping means 14 and the nuts are tightened up on these bolts until asuiflcient pressure is placed upon the rubber to hold it in position,

even under the tension which is caused by the fluid in the chamber 11.

In Figs. 1 and 2 the dryer is shown as a separate unit supported uponsuitable legs 16, while in Figs. 4, 12 and 13 it is shown as supportedby a pipe 17 mounted in any desired manner, as, for example, at thecorner of a washing machine 18. This device may be made and sold as aseparate unit having its own legs or it may be mounted upon a washingmachine as shown, or it may be made and sold as an independent unit ofthe type illustrated in Fig. 12 to be applied to any washing machine oreven to be mounted upon a stub shaft secured in proximity to wash tubs,stationary or otherwise. It will of course be obvious that it is notlimited in its use to any particular location 'or under any particularconditions.

For purposes of safety it is desirable that the pump 9 shall not becapable of producing a greater pressure than a given maximum or, atleast, that it shall be provided with means to adjust the pressure whichit can produce so that not more than a safe maximum pressure shall beproduced duringthe operation of the machine. I prefer to use a pumpwhich can not produce a pressure of greater than 70 to 75 pounds. Inconjunction with this I use an automatic stop which limits the pressureto any desired amount and which is adjustable to stop the pump 'at thedesired pressure. However, this is subject matter for anotherapplication and is therefore not disclosed in the present application.

In the forms of construction disclosed in Figs. 3 to 15 the part 19 ofhinge 3a is formed integral with or is secured to the flange 20 of thebody or bowl 1 and the part-21 of said hinge is similarly formedintegral with or secured to the flange 22 of the top 2. On the part 19are formed ears 23 and 24 through which passes a pintle 25 whichconstitutes the axis of rotation of the hinge. Ears 26 and 27 are formedon the part 21 and the pintle 25 passes through these also, thuscompleting the hinge. The inside space between the ears 26 and 27 isgreater than the outside space between the ears 23 and 24. It is thuspossible for these parts to slide relatively to each other. An arcuateslot 28 is formed in member 21 (see Fig. 5) and an arm 29 whichsurrounds the pintle 25, as shown in Fig. 11, extends upwardly throughthis slot to assist in the relative movement of the parts 1 and 2 bycausing relative movement of the cars 23, 24- and 26, 27. The ears-30and 31 of the part 29 are bent around the pintle 25 and laterally engagethe ears 23 and 24, as shown in Figs. 7 and 11. An arm or bracket 32 isrigidly secured to the part 21 of the hinge and is perforated at 33 forthe reception ofa hollow rotary shaft 34 which carries at its rearwardextremity a crank 35 which extends through a slot 36 in the arm orbracket 29. The upper portion of the slot 36 is arcuate, the center ofthe are being in alignment with the axis of the shaft 34. Thus, when thecrank'35 is at the upper limit of its motion and starts downwardly, itcauses no relative shifting of the parts 29 and 32. However, when thecrank 35 reaches the end of the arc and starts into the straight portion3'7 of the slot it immediately begins to cause relative motion of theparts 29 and 32. This causes relative shifting of the parts 19'and 21 ofthe hinge, resulting in relative rotational movement of the bowl andcover of the dryer. In order to permit easy movement of the parts, thepintle 25 is slightly arcuate in form, though this is not absolutelynecessary by reason of the fact that the entire rotational movementamounts to only approximately of an inch. A notch is formed in the upperend of the ear 24 to permit the same to slide along the bar connectingthe ears 26 and 27. This is best illustrated in Fig. 7. A notch 38permits relative rotation of the ears 24 and 2'7, when the former isadjacent the latter as shown in Fig. 8. However, when the ear 24 is outof this notch as shown in Fig. "I, it is impossible that there berelative rotary movement of these parts. Therefore, if the cover 2 is inelevated position as shown in Fig. 3, it will be impossible to take holdof the crank 40 and rotate the shaft 34 to cause relative rotarymovement of the body and cover. However, when the top or cover 2 isclosed as shown in Fig. 4 the shaft 34 can be rotated and will thencause relative rotary movements of these parts as explained above. 3

In this construction an inlet 7a is connected with the cover and admitsthe fluid pressure to the space 11 while a drain spout 13a is providedthrough which the liquid expressed from the clothing may be drained intoa washing machine, a wash tub, bucket or other suitable receptacle. Thisdrain spout 13a is rotatable about a cylindrical flange 41 on the bottomside of the body 1. As shown in Fig. 13 it is preferable to have somesort of soft gasket 42 between the drain spout 13a and the body 1, thusreducing to a minimum the friction and wear between these parts. In thisform of construction an arm or bracket 43 is secured to the body or bowl1 andv surrounds the supporting shaft 17 to serve as a means forassisting in holding up the weight of the dryer and clothing containedtherein. A resilient arm 44 is pivoted at 45 on the arm 43 and carries astop 46 to limit the swinging movement thereof in one direction. Thisstop is desirable though not necessary. A projection 47 is formed uponthe arm 44 and engages in a corresponding depression in the under sideof the drain spout 13a. This arm 44 serves to hold the drain spout inplace but it can readily be turned upon its pivot so as to permit thedrain spout to be removed from the flange 41. The projection 47 beinglocated axially with'relation to the flange 41 it is possible to rotatethe spout 13a without any binding of parts. In the form of constructionshown in Figs. 3 and 4 the drain spout is secured to the flange by beingscrewthreaded thereon. This makes it possible to rodepression 54 isformed on the under side of the reenforcing ring 55 for the reception ofthe heads of the lugs or pins 52. When the fluid pressure in the chamber11 tends to cause separation of the parts 1 and 2 the heads of thesepins engage in the depressions 54 and make is impossible to relativelyrotate the parts 1 and 2. It is therefore necessary to wait until thepressure has been sufficiently relieved from the chamber 11 so that suchrotation can be caused. When this is done, there will be no danger inturning the shaft 34 or 34a as there will then not be sufficientpressure in the chamber 11 to burst the diaphragm 6 in event the dryeris unlocked.

In the constructions shown in Figs. 3 to 13 a post 56 is secured to.orintegral with the top of the cover 2. As a matter of economicalconstruction, it is believed best that this be secured to the cover asshown in Fig. 6. This can be done in any suitable manner as by brazingor electric welding. A channel 5'? extends from .the interior of thecover through the post 56 to a transverse opening 58 into which the airfrom the chamber 11 may be vented. Various ways for getting rid of thisair are available. For example, a lateral opening from the channel 58may lead out through the wall of the post 56 as shown at 59 in Fig. 4.If desired, a longitudinal opening through the end 60 of the shaft 34might be provided. However, it is not considered desirable to have thisvent opening exposed, as a child playing around the machine might coversuch opening with a finger and prevent the air from being ventedthrough. such opening. If this were done when the cover 2 is up and thepump 9 operating, it would cause the membranefi to be exploded.

In order to provide against this, I have made a longitudinal opening 61substantially axially of the valve core 62 permitting the air whichpasses that it will be impossible to get at and cover up this openingwith a finger. Therefore, if the pump is operating and the dryer isopen, the air will pass outwardly through openings 57, 61 and 63 andescape without danger to the diaphragm 6.

As shown in Figs. 6 and 16 an opening of approximately 90 is cut throughone wall of the valve core 62 to permit the escape of air through theopenings 57 and 61 from a time when the handle 40 reaches 'a pointnearly vertical until it reaches the limit of its unlocking motion. Thisprevents any building up of pressure in the chamber 11 during any timethat the dryer is unlocked. It will of course be understood that inorder to transmit motion from the handle 40 to the hollow shaft 34a itwill be necessary that the connection at 66 be of non-circular crosssection. However, the surfaces at this connection will be suflicientlyrounded so that this will have somewhat the action of a universal joint,thereby permitting rotation, notwithstanding the angular relation of theparts with respect to each other.

When the handle 40 is in horiaontal position as shown in Fig. 5 thecrank ,35 is near the top of slot 36 as shown in Fig. 7 and the coverand bowl are in locked position, with opening 57 closed. When the handle40 reaches the vertical position the core 62 will be substantially inthe position shown in Fig. 6 with the vent opening unobstructed so thatair may vent from the chamber 11 to the exterior at the point 64. Whenthe handle 40 is turned 90 further, the opening 57 still communicateswith the opening 65 and the air continues to be vented as before, sothat it is impossible to start the pump going and build up a pressure inthe chamber 11. Fig. 5 shows the position of the parts when the body andcover are fully locked and the air vent closed while a rotation ofhandle 40 and shaft 34 through substantially 180 results in opening thevent and completely unlocking the cover.

It is obvious that the locking operation will be just the opposite ofwhat has been described above. In other words, starting with the coverin the position shown in Fig. 3 and with the clothing placed in thedryer body, the cover is lowered into closed position and the handle 49raised to the position shown in Fig. 4. This operation rotates the coverrelatively to the body until the locking elements are completely engagedwith the small portion of the key-hole slots 50. Further turning of thehandle 40 toward the position shown in Fig. 5 starts to close the exit57 from the chamber 11 and, when the handle is in the position shown inFig. 5, the opening is entirely closed and there will be no leakage ofair through 57, 60 and 63. The top or cover is therefore necessarilyclosed and locked before the opening 57 can be closed and beforepressure can be built up in the chamber 11.

Although not so stated above, it is clear that the membrane 6 may beeither tight as shown in Fig. 13 or loose and baggy as shown in Fig. 1.It is considered preferable to have it somewhat baggy in the types ofconstruction shown on sheet 1 of the drawings and to have it tight in aconstruction of the type shown in Fig. 13. The reason for the tightnessin Fig. 13 is that it makes a more effective seal where the rubber ispinched between the cover 2 and the ridge '73, formed by bending a beadon the body as shown in Fig. 13. This bead is reinforced by a ring 74which is placed within the bead and securely held therein in any desiredmanner, such as by being held therein by the reinforcing ring 55. Inthis construction, the stretching of the rubber over the bead 73 assistsin forming a tight joint at this point to keep the water from leakingthrough the joint in event it should not run out of the pipe 13a fastenough. I

A cross bar '70, constituting a part of member 21, and connecting ears26 and 27, engages at 71 with the extremity of member 19 as best shownin Fig. to prevent the cover from being turned too far over, when thedryer is opened.

Various modifications of the basic idea here set forth are possible butthe structure disclosed is considered preferable to any suchmodifications. For example, the cover, instead of being hinged to thebody, may be entirely detachable therefrom and may be provided withmeans for securing it in place. This cover may have the diaphragmsecured to it as here shown or the membrane may be secured to a'ring andbe entirely free from the body and cover, the two parts each having aslight groove for'the reception of the nions so that it could be turnedover.

ring so that, when the parts are clamped together, the rubber and ringwill act as a seal between them and prevent the escape of fluids, eitherliquids or gases, at the joint. Another possible but probablyundesirable construction would be a cover similar to that shown in Figs.3 to 13 permanently secured to a body mounted on trun- This body wouldhave a cover which could be removed to permit the clothing to beinserted in the body. A perforate container would then need to be putover the clothing to keep it away from the walls of the dryer. The covernow being placed on the body, the dryer could be operated either sideup. A suitable drain opening or openings would need to be provided forescape of water from the dryer as it is pressed out of the clothing. Theprimary difllculty with this construction is that it would not permitthe removal of the diaphragm when worn out, unless the cover and bodywere detachably connected. It is not considered necessary or desirableto refer to any others of the contemplated modiflcations and furtherreference is therefore omitted.

It is of course understood that the specific description of structureand method set forth above may be departed from without departing fromthe spirit of my invention as set' forth in this specification and theappended claims.

Having now described my invention,

I claim:

1. A device of the class described, comprising a receptacle, and a covertherefor, said parts being provided with interlocking devices capable ofbeing engaged with each other upon a partial rotation of the cover onthe receptacle, a hinge uniting said parts so as to permit a limitedmovement of the cover with relation to the receptacle, andmeans forpreventing such movement while the cover is in an open position.

2. A device of the class described, comprising a receptacle, and a coverhingedly connected therewith, the hinge connection being constructed topermit a limited rotary movement in the plane of the cover with relationto the receptacle, cooperating locking means carried by said receptacleand cover, and capable of being engaged or released upon such rotarymovement of the cover, and means constituting a part of the hinge forpreventing the turning of the cover upon its hinge except when saidlocking means are in fully released position.

3. A device of the class described, comprising a receptacle and a coverhingedly connected therewith, said parts being provided withinterlocking devices capable of being engaged with each other upon apartial rotation of the cover on the receptacle, a hinge uniting saidreceptacle and cover so as to permit a limited amount of rotation of thecover on the receptacle, means connected with said hinge for preventingthe turning of the cover on its hinge except when the interlocking meansare in fully released position and for preventing rotation of the coverwhile it is in an open position.

4. In a device of the class described, a receptacle designed to receivea fluid supply, under compression, said receptacle being formed of twoparts provided with interlocking means capable of engagement uponmovement of one of said parts with relation to the other, a hingeconnection forsaid parts permitting a limited movement of one thereofwith relation to the other, an exhaust valve connected with one of saidparts,

and means necessitating opening said valve preceding the separation ofsaid parts.

5. In a device of the class described, a receptacle, formed of twoseparable parts, provided with interlocking means capable of engagementupon movement of one of said parts with relation to the other, hingemechanism connecting said parts so as to permit a limitedmovement of onethereof with relation to the other, means connected with said hinge forcausing the movement of one of said parts with relation to the other onethereof, a relief valve in one of said parts, and an operating deviceconnecting said relief valve with said last-named means, so that aninitial movement of said operating device will open said valve, and acontinued movement thereof release said interlocking means.

6. A device of the class described, comprising a bowl-shaped receptacle,provided at its circumference with interlocking devices, a dish-shapecover therefor, having cooperating interlocking devices at itscircumference, capable of engaging with said first-named devices upon alimited rotation of the cover on said receptacle, a fixed hinge memberat one side of said receptacle, a relatively movable hinge-membersecured to said cover, shiftdevices associated with said hinge members,a release valve on said cover, and an operators rod attached at one endto said shift devices and at the opposite end to said valve, an initialmovement of said rod operating to open said valve, and a continuedmovement thereof actuating said shift devices to disconnect theinterlocking devices on said cover and receptacle, the valve remainingopen during such continued movement and until the cover is again lockedin place.

'7. A device of the class described, comprising a receptacle and covertherefor, provided on their rims with interlocking devices, and adaptedto receive a charge of fluid under compression, a.

' stationary hinge member at one side of said receptacle, a movablehinge member secured to said cover, a release valve on said cover, anoperators rod connected with said release valve, and

operatively connected with the movable hinge member, to shift theposition thereof, said shifting movement following the opening of saidvalve, and means on said hinge members for preventing swinging movementof the cover on its hinge except when the interlocking devices are fullydisengaged.

' 8. A device of the class described, comprising a receptacle and covertherefor, provided on their rims with interlocking devices, capable ofbeing engaged or disengaged upon a partial rotation of the cover, ahinge member fixed to said recepta cle, a cooperating hinge membersecured to said cover, and having a limited movement on said first-namedhinge member, to permit a partial rotation of said cover, shiftmechanism for oper ating said movable hinge member, a release valve onsaid cover, an operators rod connecting said shift mechanism, and valve,adapted to open said valve preceding the movement .of said shiftmechanism, and interlocking mechanism on said hinge -members forpreventing the movement of one hinge member with reference to the otheror the operation of said' rodto close said valve, while the cover is inan open position.

9. In a device of the class described, a receptacle and cover therefor,provided with interlocking means whereby said parts may be rigidly heldtogether by a. partial rotation of the cover, hinge mechanism unitingsaid parts so as to permit a limited rotation of said cover, a shiftplate supported on said hinge mechanism, so

as to tip rearwardly with the cover, and provided with a vertical. slot,a relief valve on said cover, and an operators rod having a crankconnection with said slotted plate, and forming the stem for said valve,the initial movement of said rod operating to open said valve, and asecondary movement thereof turning said valve to a farther open positionand actuating said shiftplate to disconnect said cover'and receptacle.

10. A device of the class described, comprising a receptacle, a coverhingedly connected therewith, interlocking devices on said parts capableof being engaged with each other upon a partial rotation of the cover onthe receptacle, a hinge uniting said receptacle and cover so as topermit a limited amount of rotation of the cover on the' theinterlocking means can be brought into reg-' istry upon swinging thecover to closed position, said means preventing rotation of the coverwhile it is in open position.

11. In a clothes dryer, a receptacle comprising hollow parts hingedtogether and having interlocking means capable of engagement uponmovement of one of said parts relatively to the other, the hingemechanism connecting said parts being so constructed as to permit alimited movement of one thereof with relation to the other, ventingmeans connected with the cover for permitting fluid to escape therefrom,said venting means including a rotary valve member, in combination witha connection between the rotary valve member and the hinged parts suchthat the vent openings will be opened before the hinged parts are movedwith relation to each other into unlocked position.

12.A laundry apparatus for the extraction of water from wet clothingcomprising a substantially spherical shell composed of parts, one parthaving an inlet and the other part an outlet, a flexible diaphragmmounted substantially in the separating plane of the parts in a mannerto provide a liquid-impervious partition between the inlet andtheoutlet, said diaphragm dividing the interior of the shell into apressure-receiving space into which said inlet opens and aclothingreceiving space from which 'said outlet leads, and the diaphragmhaving .suflicient flexibility and distensibility to permit either ofsaid spaces to become substantially coextensive with the full internalvolume of the shell, said diaphragm being secured to one of said shellparts adjacent its outer edge; and said shell having provisions forbeing opened to receive wet clothing in said clothing-receiving space.

13. A laundry apparatus for extraction of water from wet clothingcomprising a substantially spherical shell composed of substantiallysemispherical parts, one part having an inlet and the other part anoutlet, and a water impervious flexible and'elastic diaphragm arrangedsubstantially in the separating plane of the parts and dividing it intotwo chambers, into one of which chambers the inlet opens and from theother of which the outlet leads, said diaphragm being adapted to be setover toward either the inlet or the outlet and being secured to one ofthe shell parts at or approximately at its outer edge in air-tightrelation.

- 14. A laundry apparatus for the extraction of water from wet clothing,comprising a curved hollow shell having means for opening and closing itto receive and confine wet clothing, said shell being composed of twosimilar parts, each forming substantially one-half of the completeshell, one part having an inlet for pressure fluid and the other part awater outlet, and a flexible diaphragm arranged substantially in theseparating plane of the parts to divide the interior of the shell intotwo chambers, said diaphragm being water impervious, elastic andresilient, having sufilcient bagginess to permit it to recede into thatside of the shell in which said inlet opens and being secured to the topshell part at its outer peripheral portion.

15. In a clothes dryer, body and cover portions hingedly connected, saidbody portion having a bead around its upper edge andsaid cover having anelastic membrane secured to the edge thereof adjacent the body member,said membrane being adapted to be flexed into either the body or coverand being adapted to engage the bead on the body member to constitute aseal between the body and cover members, said body member having areinforcing member inserted into and held in the bead to strengthen theupper edge of the body member.

16. In a dryer having a body member provided in its lower portion with adrain opening and a flange surrounding the same, a drain spout having anopening in one face thereof surrounding the flange, and resilient meansfor holding the drain spout in position to receive water drained fromthe body member through said opening.

1'7. A dryer comprising body and cover members, said cover member havinga chamber therein for the reception of air under pressure and having onewall thereof adapted to be distended by such pressure, said cover havinga vent opening outwardly and a valve member controlling said vent, saidvalve member being rotatable and permitting venting'of air during oneportion of its period of rotation and preventing such venting duringanother portion of its period of rotation, in combination with lockingmeans for look. ing the body and cover membersin closed position, andconnections between the valve member and the locking means such that thelooking a means cannot be unlocked until the valve memher has been openlong enough to permit reduction of pressure in the structure to a pointof safety.

18. A dryer comprising body and cover members, said cover member havinga chamber therein for the reception of air under pressure and having onewall thereof adapted to be distended by such pressure, said cover havinga vent opening outwardly and a valve member controlling said vent, andsaid dryer being provided with means for preventing the opening thereofwhen the distensible wall is exerting a pressure against the inner faceof the body member or the contents thereof without releasing saidpressure.

19. A laundry apparatusfor the extraction of water from wet clothing,said apparatus com-'- prising a shell composed of a dome-shaped lowerportion and a dome-shaped upper portion separably connected, each ofsaid portions comprising substantially one-half of the shell, 2.flexible diaphragm arranged to provide a liquid-impervious partitionbetween the said portions and located substantially in the separatingplane of the portions, said diaphragm dividing the interior of the shellinto a pressure-receiving space above said diaphragm and aclothing-receiving space below said diaphragm, and the diaphragm havingsuflicient flexibility and distensibility to permit the same to expandinto either of said dome-shaped portions, said diaphragm beingdistensible and flexible throughout its area, and being securedsubstantially immovably, normally, to the outer edge of one of the shellparts but being removable therefrom for repair or replacement.

20. A laundry apparatus for extraction of water from wet clothingcomprising a shell formed of dome-shaped upper and lower portions, eachportion constituting substantially one-half of the shell and a waterimpervious flexible and distensible diaphragm separating said portionsand forming upper and lower chambers, the upper chamber having an inletfor pressure and the lower chamber having means to permit escape ofwater therefrom, said diaphragm being capable of being flexed anddistended into either of the dome-shaped portions, to conform to theshape thereof, substantially, and being secured in air-tight relation tothe peripheral portion of one of the dome-shaped portions.

21. A clothing drying apparatus having a dome-shaped hollow body and adome-shaped hollow cover therefor, said body and cover each constitutingsubstantially one-half of the apparatus enclosure, said cover having anentirely flexible, distensible membrane secured thereto across theopening thereof and adapted to be flexed into the hollow of the cover orto be flexed outwardly to exert pressure upon the clothing contained inthe dryer and means for admitting pressure exerting fluid into thehollow of the cover to force the membrane outwardly and extend the samebeyond the cover, said member being attached in substantially airtightrelation to the cover.

22. A laundry apparatus for expressing water from wet clothingcomprising a shell divided into two concave rigid sections detachablysecured together with the concave sides facing each other, each sectionconstituting substantially one-half of the shell, a distensible entirelyflexible membrane closing the open side of one section and securedthereto in fluid-tight relation at or adjacent its periphery, means fordetachably securing the two sections together with their concave facesdirected toward each other, the section of the shell having the flexiblemembrane being provided with an inlet opening for the. admission ofpressure fluid to the space between the shell section and the membrane,and the other section of the shell being provided with a singledischarge opening and means for directing fluid expressed from theclothing to a desired point.

23. In a device of the class described, a receptacle comprising twocooperating members adapted to receive fluid under pressure, means forsecuring said members together, a substantially homogeneous distensiblemembrane having its edge portion contacting throughout with an edge ofone of the cooperating members and held securely between them when inclosed position, a valve for exhausting said fluid, and means associatedwith said valve and securing means arranged to make the release of saidsecuring means dependent upon the prior opening of said valve. I

24. In a device of the class described, a recaptacle comprising twocooperating members adaptleasing. said securing means, a valve forexhausting sa d fluid, and means associated with said valve a dreleasing means arranged to make the release of said securing meansdependent upon the prior opening of said valve.

25. In a device of the class described, a receptacle comprising twocooperating members adapted to receive fluid under pressure, securingmeans for holding said members together, a substantially homogeneousdistensible membrane having its edge portion contacting throughout withan edge of one of the cooperating members and held securely between themwhen in closed position, a valve for exhausting said fluid, and commonmeans for operating said valve and releasing said securing means, saidcommon means being arranged to open said valve for exhausting said fluidin advance of the releaseof said securing means.

26. In a device of the class described, a receptacle comprising twocooperating and separable members adapted to receive a fluid underpressure, securing means for holding said members together, a flexibleand distensible diaphragm secured between the members when in operativerelation and dividing the enclosed space into compartments, a valve forexhausting said fluid,

and means associated with said valve and said securing means arranged tomake the closing of said valvedependent upon the prior releasing of saidsecuring means.

2'7. In a device of the class described, a receptacle comprising twocooperating and separable members adapted to receive fluid underpressure, securing means for holding said members together, asubstantially homogeneous distensible membrane having its edge portioncontacting throughout with an edge of one of the cooperating members andheld securely between them when in closed position, a valve forexhausting said fluid from said receptacle, and common means foroperating said valve and said securing means, said common means beingarranged to maintain said valve open until said members have been placedin receptacle-forming position and said securing means have beenfastened.

28. In a device of the class described, a recep-.

tacle comprising two cooperating and separable members adapted toreceive fluid under pressure, securing means for holding said memberstogether, a flexible and distensible membrane secured by its edgeportion between said cooperating members, a valve for exhausting saidfluid from said receptacle, and means associated with said valve andsecuring means arranged to make the closing of said valve dependent uponthe prior fastening of said securing means and to make the release ofsaid securing means dependent upon the prior opening of said valve.

29. In a device of the class described, a receptacle comprising twocooperating and separable members adapted to receive fluid underpressure, securing means for holding said members together, a flexible,distensible diaphragm secured between the members when in operativerelation and dividing the enclosed space into two compartments a valvefor exhausting said fluid from said receptacle, and common means foroperating said valve and said securing means, said common means beingarranged to maintain said valve open until said members have been placedin receptacle-forming position and said securing means have beenfastened, and adapted to open said valve to exhaust said fluid prior tothe release of said securing means.-

31. In a clothes dryer, a receptacle. comprising hollow parts havinginterlocking means, one of said parts serving as a cover, venting meansconnected with the cover for permitting fluid to escape therefrom, saidventing means including a valve member, in combination with a connectionbetween the valve member and the hollow parts such that the vent openingwill be opened before the hollow parts are unlocked from each other, anda flexible, distensible membrane having its periphery located betweenthe contacting parts of the hollow parts.

32. Infa clothes dryer, 9. pair a: receptacleforming members to receiveand conflne clothing, flexible distensible means between said members todivide the space between them into two compartments, means for securingsaid members in receptacle-forming position, said members being adaptedto confine a fluid under pressure,

means for admitting a pressure fluid to the re-' ceptacle, means forexhausting said fluid therefrom, and means associated with saidexhausting and securing means arranged to prevent separation of saidmembers until the exhausting means has released enough of the pressurefluid so that said members may be released from each other withoutdanger of accident.

33. A device for removing moisture from wet' clothing comprisingreceptacle-forming members adapted to form a receptacle closed on bothtop and bottom, securing means for said members, a flexible distensiblediaphragm forming with one of said members a closed container, aconductor for conveying fluid under pressure to said closed container,means of communication between the container and atmosphere, and meansassociated with said securing and communicating means adapted to isolatethe container from the atmosphere only when the members are securedtogether and to communicate the container with the atmosphere in advanceof releasing said securing means.

34. A device for removing moisture from wet clothing comprisingreceptacle-forming members, at least one of which is concave on the sidetoward the other, means for securing said members together to form aclosed container and for disconnecting said members so that saidcontainer may be opened, means for building up a fluid pressure in saidcontainer, and means associated with said securing and pressure meansadapted to prevent the building up of pressure in the container untilsaid securing means has been fastened.

35. In a clothes dryer, body and cover portions, said body portionhaving a bead'around its upper edge and said cover having an elasticmembrane secured to the edge thereof adjacent the body member, saidcover being adapted to receive fluid under pressure between itself andthe membrane and said membrane being adapted to be flexed into eitherthe body or cover and being further adapted to engage the bead on thebody member with increasing pressure as the member is flexed into thebody member whereby to constitute a seal between the body and covermembers.

pressure, and means associated with said securing and exhausting meanswhich first operates the securing means to securing position and thenthe exhausting means to closed position to pre vent the building up ofpressure in said container until said securing means has been fastened.

37. A moisture extracting device comprising receptacle forming membersadapted to form a receptacle closed at both--top and bottom, securingmeans for said members, a flexible, distensible diaphragm forming withone of said members a closed container, a conductor for conveying fluidunder pressure to said closed container, means forexhausting said fluidto the atmosphere, means associated with said securing and exhaust meansarranged to maintain said exhaust means open when said members areunsecured, and means for shielding the delivery end of said exhaustmeans to prevent inadvertent closing thereof while said members areunsecured and a possible rupture of the diaphragm.

38. A moisture extracting device comprising receptacle forming membershinged together to form a receptacle closed on the top and bottom,securing means for said members, a flexible, distensible diaphragmforming with one of said members a closed container, a conductor forconveying fluid under pressure to said closed container, means forexhausting said fluid to the atmosphere, means associated with saidsecuring and exhaust means arranged to maintain said exhaust means openwhen said members are unsecured, and means constituting a part of ahinge for shielding the delivery end of said exhaust means to preventinadvertent closing thereof while said members are unsecured and apossible rupture of the diaphragm.

39. A laundry apparatus for the extraction of water from wet clothingcomprising a shell having a pair of hingedly connected sections, aflexible diaphragm mounted in the shell in a manner to provide aliquid-impervious partition, said diaphragm dividing the interior of theshell into a pressure-receiving space and a clothes-receiving space, theclothing contacting surface of the diaphragm extending across the shellfrom side to side in proximity to the plane of division between thesections and being connected to the peripheral portion of one of saidsections in air-tight relation, means to supply fluid pressure to saidfirst space and means for discharging water from said second space, andthe diaphragm having sufflcient flexibility and distensibility to permiteitherof said spaces to become substantially coextensive with the fullinternal volume of the shell, and said shell having provisions for beingopened to receive wet clothing in said clothing-receiving space,including means for releasably securing. the two sections in closedposition.

over toward either the inlet or the outlet and being secured to theperipheral portion of one of the shell members in fluid-tight relation.

41. A laundry apparatus for the extraction of water from wet' clothing,comprising a shell divided into separable semi-spherical parts, meansfor detachably connecting said parts together, and a distensibleflexible diaphragm secured to the peripheral portion of one of saidseparable parts substantially in the dividing plane between said parts,and that part to which said flexible diaphragm is secured having aninlet opening through the wall of the shell for the reception of fluidunder pressure, the other of said parts having an outlet for dischargeof the'water expressed from wet clothing placed in the shell.

42. In a device of the class described, a drier unit comprising twocooperating members adapted to receive fluid under pressure, means forsecuring said members together, a valve for exstantially homogeneousdistensible membrane having its edge portion contacting throughout withan edge of one of the cooperating members and held securely between themwhen in closed position, means for securing said members together, meansfor releasing said securing means,

a valve for exhausting said fluid, and means associated with said valveand releasing means arranged to make the release of said securing meansdependent upon the prior opening of said valve.

44. In a device of the class described, a receptacle comprising twocooperating members adapted to receive fluid under pressure, securingmeans for holding said members together, a valve for exhausting saidfluid, and common means for operating said valve and said securing meansto release the latter, said common means ,being arranged to open saidvalve for exhausting said fluid in advance of the release of saidsecuring means.

45. In a device of theclass described, a recep-- by its edge portionbetween said separable members, securing means for holding said memberstogether, a valve for exhausting said fluid, and means associated withsaid valve and securing means arranged to make the closing of said valvedependent upon the prior fastening of said securing means. i

46. In a device of the class described, a receptacle comprising twocooperating and separable members adapted to receive fluid underpressure, securing means for holding said members together, a valve forexhausting said fluid from said receptacle, and common means foroperating said valve and said securing means, said common means beingarranged to maintain said valve open until said members have been placedin receptacle-forming position and said securing means have beenfastened.

47. In a device of the class described, a receptacle designed to receivea fluid supply, under compression, said receptacle being formed of twoment of one thereof with relation to the other,

an exhaust valve connected with one of said parts, and means associatedwithsaid interlocking means and valve arranged to make the disengagementof said interlocking means dependent upon the prior opening of saidvalve.

48. In a clothes drier, a pair of receptacleforming members to receiveand confine clothing,

means for securing said members in receptacle-' forming position, saidmembers bein adapted to confine a fluid under pressure, a tube foradmitting a pressure fluid to the receptacle, means for exhausting saidfluid therefrom, and means func tionally connecting said exhausting andsecuring means so as to prevent separation of said members until theexhausting means has released enough of the pressure fluid so that saidmembers may be released from each other without danger of accident.

49. In a device of the class described, a receptacle comprising twocooperating members, means for securing said members together, means foradmitting a fluid pressure into said receptacle, means for exhaustingsaid pressure, and means associated with said securing and exhaustingmeans which first operates the securing means to securing position andthen the exhausting means to closed position to prevent the building upof pressure in said container until said securing means has beenfastened.

50. A laundry apparatus for the extraction of water from wet clothingcomprising a hollow shell provided with an inlet and an outlet, and awater-impervious, flexible and distensible diaphragm arranged within theshell and dividing it into two chambers, into one of which the inletopens and from the other of which the outlet leads, said diaphragm beingsecurely held by its peripheral portion between the shell members whenthey are in closed and operating position.

- WILLIAM H. YANDELL.

CERTIFICATE or CORRECTION;

Patent No. 1,993,201. March s, 1935.

WILLIAM H. YANDELL.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specificationof the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 5,second column, lines 41-42, claim 12, strike out the words"substantially spherical" and in line 42, after the word "of" insert thewords substantially semi-spherical; and that the said Letters Patentshould be read with these corrections therein that the same may conformto the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed. this 18th day of June, A. D. 1935.

Leslie Frazer (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents.

